The three men spread out across the clearing.
It wasn't a hasty movement. It was clear they already had combat experience. Each chose a different position, trying to surround Draven.
The man with the curved sword stood in front.
The one with bluish skin went to the right.
The one with long arms stood to the left.
Draven noticed this immediately.
The Great Sage began to analyze.
Combat formation detected.
Probable objective: to surround and limit movement.
Suggestion: to avoid being surrounded.
Draven took a few steps back until a large rock was behind him. Then, no one could attack him from behind.
The man with the sword smiled.
"You learn quickly."
"I observe," Draven replied.
The first to attack was the man with long arms.
He advanced with surprising speed, using the reach of his arms to try to hit Draven before he could react.
Draven raised his arm. A dark layer covered his fist.
It was Armament Haki.
CLANG
The enemy's punch collided with Draven's block.
The impact was strong enough to push him back a few inches.
The Great Sage analyzed immediately.
Opponent's physical strength:
approximately equivalent to that of a trained warrior.
Speed:
high.
Conclusion: opponent specialized in hand-to-hand combat.
Draven responded with a swift counterattack.
He spun his body and landed a punch to the enemy's abdomen.
The man was thrown backward and fell rolling on the ground.
But the other two were already moving.
The blue-skinned warrior advanced from the side with two daggers.
Draven noticed the movement at the last second.
He jumped back as the blades passed close to his chest.
The Great Sage spoke again.
Weapons detected:
Poisoned daggers.
Recommendation: Avoid direct contact.
Draven frowned.
"Great…"
The man with the sword decided to join the fight.
He pulled the curved blade from his back.
The way he held the sword showed that he was the most experienced of the three.
He attacked first.
The sword came down in a swift strike.
Draven blocked with his Haki-enhanced arm.
CLANG
The force of the impact made the ground beneath his feet crack slightly.
The Great Sage commented:
"Opponent identified as the group's leader."
"Skill level: high."
Draven pushed his sword aside and took a few steps back.
Now the three were standing again.
And surrounding him once more.
Draven took a deep breath.
"Right… I understand how you fight."
Shadows around his feet began to move.
The man with the daggers understood first.
"Watch out! He's going to use that ability!"
Draven reached out.
The shadows on the ground stretched rapidly.
Noctharum.
Two dark blades appeared beside him.
The Great Sage recorded:
Noctharum construct created.
Stability:
72%
Control improving.
Draven launched the blades.
One struck the ground near the long-armed man, forcing him to recoil.
The other went toward the sword leader.
He barely managed to dodge.
"So that's your trick," he said.
Draven decided to finish this.
He took a step forward.
And released pressure around him.
It was Conqueror's Haki.
An invisible wave swept across the clearing.
The long-armed man immediately fell to his knees.
The one with the daggers recoiled, clearly affected.
The leader managed to remain standing, but his expression changed.
He finally understood something important.
"This boy…"
"He's not normal."
Draven also noticed something.
The Conqueror's Haki didn't knock everyone down.
This meant that some warriors had enough mental resilience to withstand it.
The Great Sage confirmed:
Correct analysis.
Some individuals possess strong mental resilience.
Conqueror's Haki doesn't guarantee automatic victory.
Draven found this information useful.
Very useful.
He looked at the three men.
"If you keep fighting… you'll end up seriously injured."
The leader wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
He laughed.
"Boy… we are hunters."
"This sort of thing is part of the job."
Draven sighed.
— I tried to warn you.
Shadows around him began to grow again.
And this time…
He wasn't just training anymore.